Unschooling NYC

Bill Gates, college dropout, founder of Microsoft and subsequent billionaire is now spending a ton of his time promoting the idea that every child in our nation needs and should get a 4 year college degree.   This is sort of the ultimate ‘do as I say, not as I do (or did)’ and over the past few months I’ve spent some time (not too much, but some) wondering about his motives.   It just seemed a weird kind of philanthropy for him, because how could he tell people he regretted not getting his degree?  Has it held him back?  Made him … Read more

Every now and then I come across a book that is so good it makes following a normal routine difficult.    Like I start thinking, “Please, I can too walk and read at the same time!”   Or do dishes and read, shower and read, whatever.   The last book – or books – that had that effect on me were “The Hunger Games” and its’ sequel “Catching Fire”.  (The third, “Mockingjay” was good, but not ‘I can’t put it down’ good.)

I’ve found another one.   “A Discovery of Witches” by Deborah Harkness is so well written and compelling that I … Read more

Today’s assignment in our ‘create something every day for 365 days’ book was to write a 10 word love story, and as a bonus, illustrate it!   Now when I read that my mind immediately started to mull over how to evoke strong emotions in 10 words.   How do you express real love – what can you say?   (I tend toward the sappy romantic in these things, which is going to become very apparent in just a moment.)

Maya sat down and created hers in about 5 minutes, and I have to say, I love what she did and feel that … Read more

Joshua and I used to go to the movies every weekend.  Before we had kids, we’d sometimes go on Saturday and Sunday.   There was no movie so bad we wouldn’t go see it.  (We even sat through an excruciating almost 3 hours of “The Thin Red Line”.  Uuugh)   In the past year  our movie-going has diminished to maybe twice a month, but the fact remains that there are occasions when watching the other people entering the theater is as entertaining as the movie itself.   We always marvel at the couples who walk in and then begin arguing loudly and passionately … Read more

Maya’s last NDI (National Dance Institute) class was today  so we all went down to watch them perform the dance they’ve been working on over the winter.   There were about 20 kids in the class and it’s a pretty small space, so Joshua, Ben and I parked ourselves on the floor at the side of the room in order to see everyone.   As it began, the woman who is the Executive Director of the Institute was standing right in front of Ben while videotaping some of the warm ups the kids were doing.  I didn’t notice, being too caught up … Read more

Remember yesterday I mentioned that Maya wanted to go to Goodwill to look for inexpensive video props?   One of the best skills anyone can have is to know where to look for stuff.   Stuff you need, stuff you want to learn, etc.   If you know how to find things you need and/or want, you are in good shape.

This principle is at the core of life learning.   When people ask ‘what about Algebra?’, the answer really is that when Algebra becomes necessary – if it becomes necessary, then my kids will know where to look in order to learn it.… Read more

I wish I could present snapshots of our days to the Dept. of Ed instead of quarterly reports (the next one is due April 15th).   Because sometimes pictures really are worth a thousand words, and the task of dividing the experiences of our days into subjects is tedious and dry.

For instance:  This morning at Maya’s request we went out, got on the train and headed down to Chelsea to go to the Goodwill Store there.   She and Ben wanted to buy some stuffed animals to use in their videos, and wound up with three Webkinz each.   We stopped in … Read more

It is no secret that Americans are sedentary and overweight, and that obesity is a huge problem (no pun intended) in our country.   Michelle Obama has started a program called “Let’s Move” that tries to teach kids good exercise and eating habits, which is great.   But their PSA’s are beyond horrible, and I think they need to adjust their approach.  For example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-gtNYr4hw0&feature=related

“Hey Moms, it’s up to you to get your kids moving, so how about lying to them and running them all over the house in search of something that is sitting on the counter next to you?”    … Read more

Here is a quote from a book I am reading, a memoir by the Duchess of Devonshire:   “At the age of 5 we started lessons with Muv [her mother], who followed the admirable Parents’ National Education System with its emphasis on learning through direct contact with nature and good books, and its disapproval of marks, prizes, rewards and exams….At the age of 8 I moved on to the schoolroom…and never enjoyed lessons again.”   Over and over and over we read or hear of people who most enjoyed the education they received outside of schools, whether on their own or, as … Read more

It’s an unusual evening at our house.  Maya is spending the night at a friends’, and Ben invited his best friend Jonah to be here with us.   It is the first time that Ben has had a friend over when Maya wasn’t here.   And it is amazing how different the house feels with only boy energy running around.

Ben and Jonah love spending time together, and almost from the moment we walked in the door a huge battle ensued between competing Bionicles.  The boys ran through the house, making laser fighting sounds and periodically dropping to the floor amid great … Read more